Swiss nationals and EEA nationals have a right to live and work in the United Kingdom. This is called a right of residence. If you are not sure if you are an EEA national, please see the fill list on our Who needs a UK work permit? page.

You have a right of residence in the United Kingdom if you are an EEA national and:

You are working in the United Kingdom; or

You do not work in the United Kingdom, but you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay without help from public funds. Public funds include Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

In order to enter the UK, you will have to show your passport or national identity card. When you arrive at major ports and airports, you should use the separate channel marked 'EEA/EU' where it is available. Immigration officers will check your passport or national identity card to make sure that it is valid and belongs to you.

Working in the UK

You can:

accept offers of work;

work (whether as an employee, in self-employment or in business);

set up a business;

manage a company; or

set up a local branch of a company.

If you are an EEA or Swiss national you do not need a work permit for the above activities.

You can live in the United Kingdom as a student, as a retired person or if you are not working, as long you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay without needing help from public funds.

Residence permits

A residence permit simply confirms that you have a right to live in the United Kingdom under European Community law. You will need to apply for a residence permit if your family members want to apply for a residence document.

A residence permit is normally valid for five years. However, residence permits may be issued for a shorter period if you are working or studying in the United Kingdom for less than 12 months.

You will probably not be given a residence permit if:

you are in the United Kingdom for a short visit;

you are looking for work;

you will work and live in the United Kingdom for less than three months; or

you do not work in the United Kingdom and cannot support yourself without help from public funds.

Further information, help, and advice

Workpermit.com's team of specialists has over 25 years of experience in immigration services, and have helped thousands of people to study and work in the UK. We work with OISC registered advisers who can submit your UK visa application to the Home Office to be dealt with on the same day.